The flu vaccine is particularly important during pregnancy for several reasons:
Protects the Mother: Pregnant women are more susceptible to severe illness from the flu due to changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs. The flu can lead to complications like pneumonia, hospitalization, or even death.
Protects the Baby: Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy can provide protection to the baby as well. Antibodies from the vaccine are passed to the baby through the placenta, helping to protect them from the flu during the first few months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
Reduces Risk of Preterm Birth: Flu-related illness during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The vaccine helps reduce these risks.
Safe for Pregnancy: The inactivated flu vaccine (the flu shot) is safe during any stage of pregnancy and is recommended by health authorities like the CDC and WHO.
In short, the flu vaccine is a key preventive measure to protect both the mother and the baby from potentially serious complications caused by the flu.
Keywords
pregnancy increases
complications caused
risks safe
reduces risk
flu shot
flu due
flu vaccine
health authorities
placenta helping
provide protection
death protects
pneumonia hospitalization
severe illness
reasons protects
preterm birth
inactivated flu vaccine
mother pregnant women
vaccine helps reduce
low birth weight
key preventive measure
immune system heart
